Title: Fisheye-based presentation of information for mobile devices.Abstract: Embodiments relate to a computer-implemented method for graphically displaying or presenting a fisheye-based view of a large data list on the limited content viewing area of a mobile device. At least a subset of data rows within the data list and graphical representations of a plurality of data fields of at least the subset of data rows are generated and graphically displayed using a graphical user interface of the mobile device. When a user selects a focus row from the displayed data rows, a fisheye-based view of the selected focus row is presented. The fisheye-based view and the graphical representations of the data fields provide the user with a focus-plus-context view of a large data list. Further, the graphical representations provide the user with meaningful information even when particular data items are too small to read specific values. ...

BACKGROUND

Embodiments relate generally to the field of mobile devices, particularly to the presentation of information using a mobile device.

2. Background

The emergence and development of mobile computing devices allows users to access pertinent information from almost anywhere, without needing to be bound to a specific geographic location. Such users can use these devices to view relevant data while, for example, traveling from one physical location to another. This is particularly advantageous in a business environment, where mobile devices continue to become prevalent. Many business users from diverse occupations rely on the devices to access data in the field. Some subset of the universe of data is commonly downloaded, or synchronized, to these mobile devices for viewing in the field.

While the small size of mobile device aids in portability, the size may also prove to be a hindrance for some users and applications, particularly for enterprise mobile users who need to view large amounts of data in the field. Such enterprise users may have difficulty viewing the data on the limited screen space of a mobile device. For example, the user may have trouble navigating a list of data items that may be too long to fit on a single screen. In addition, data items within the list may be too small for the user to read.

To aid users in viewing data items on a display screen, fisheye viewing techniques have been developed in which an item selected to be the focus is displayed in full size while other items are reduced in different degrees of size according to their distance from the item of focus. However, traditional fisheye viewing techniques suffer from several limitations for viewing large data sets on mobile devices, which preclude them from being commercially viable solutions for mobile users.

One limitation associated with traditional fisheye techniques is that they are applicable only to short lists, such as menus. Traditional techniques make it difficult for users to browse large data lists that may extend beyond the current viewing area of a mobile device screen. Such a limitation make traditional techniques inapplicable to applications that need to display long data lists on small display screens (e.g. mobile devices). Another limitation is that most data items displayed using traditional fisheye techniques are too minimal in size to provide any meaningful information to the user. Consequently, displaying such items amounts to wasting valuable screen space.

Thus, users need a capability to view and quickly navigate a long list of data using a mobile device. Further, application developers need a new fisheye-based mechanism to display a large amount of data on a mobile device display screen or other small display that also provides meaningful information to users.

BRIEF

SUMMARY

Embodiments relate to displaying a fisheye-based view of a large list of data items on a small screen, such as a display screen of a mobile device. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for displaying a fisheye-based view of a data list on a mobile device is provided. The data list is located on the mobile device and comprises data rows. The data rows of the data list have a plurality of data fields. Graphical representations of the plurality of data fields for at least a subset of the data rows are generated. The data rows, or at least the subset of data rows, and the generated graphical representations are graphically displayed using a graphical user interface of the mobile device. A selection of a focus row is received from the user via the graphical user interface. A fisheye-based view of the selected focus row is then graphically presented to the user. For the fisheye-based view, the selected focus row is displayed at a higher level of detail than other graphically displayed data rows. The user may determine relative values of the plurality of data fields by viewing the graphically displayed data rows and the graphical representations of the plurality of data fields even if sizes of the displayed data rows are too small to read specific values.

In another embodiment, a system for displaying a fisheye-based view of a data list on a mobile device comprises: a data visualization module and a user navigation module. The data visualization module is configured to access the data list on the mobile device. The data list comprises data rows having a plurality of data fields. The data visualization module is further configured to generate graphical representations of the plurality of data fields for at least a subset of the data rows of the data list. The data visualization module is further configured to graphically display at the least the subset of data rows and the generated graphical representations using a graphical user interface of the mobile device. The data visualization module is also further configured to graphically present to a user the fisheye-based view of a focus row. For the fisheye-based view, the focus row is displayed at a higher level of detail than other graphically displayed data rows. The user navigation module is configured to receive from the user, via the graphical user interface, a selection of the focus row from the graphically displayed data rows. The user may determine relative values of the plurality of data fields by viewing the graphically displayed data rows and the graphical representations of the plurality of data fields even if sizes of the displayed data rows are too small to read specific values.

Embodiments may be implemented using hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof and may be implemented in one or more computer systems or other processing systems.

Further embodiments, features, and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of the various embodiments, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein. Such embodiments are presented herein for illustrative purposes only. Additional embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the information contained herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments are described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers may indicate identical or functionally similar elements. The drawing in which an element first appears is typically indicated by the leftmost digit or digits in the corresponding reference number. Further, the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments of present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the relevant art(s) to make and use the invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary distributed system in which embodiments can be implemented.

FIG. 2 is an architecture diagram of an exemplary device for displaying a fisheye-based view of a data list on a mobile device, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an exemplary graphical user interface displaying a fisheye-based view of a data list on a mobile device, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of another exemplary graphical user interface displaying a fisheye-based view of a data list on a mobile device, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary index bar that transitions from a default radar view to a fisheye-based radar view for a data list on a mobile device, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a table showing exemplary levels of detail for displaying different types of data using a fisheye-based view of a data list on a mobile device, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a process flow chart of an exemplary method by which a user can use a fisheye-based view of a data list on a mobile device to view and select items of interest from the data list, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a process flow chart of an exemplary method for displaying a fisheye-based view of a data list on a mobile device, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of an example computer system in which embodiments can be implemented.

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20120126|20120023438|fisheye-based presentation of information for mobile devices|Embodiments relate to a computer-implemented method for graphically displaying or presenting a fisheye-based view of a large data list on the limited content viewing area of a mobile device. At least a subset of data rows within the data list and graphical representations of a plurality of data fields of |Sybase-Inc